Second fatal crash at Brockton intersection brings call for action

The intersection of North Quincy Street and Boundary Avenue, which divides Brockton and Abington, was host to a second fatal crash Tuesday night since August. Neighbors, who have petitioned to put in a light at the dangerous intersection, are outraged that nothing has been done. The city says it’s working on the situation, but that such changes take time.

By Amy Carboneau

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Amy Carboneau

Posted Oct. 31, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 31, 2013 at 10:40 AM

By Amy Carboneau

Posted Oct. 31, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 31, 2013 at 10:40 AM

BROCKTON

» Social News

Frank Chaplin Jr. heard the crash and ran outside to see a car on its roof and his neighbor leaning over a young woman who wasn’t breathing.

It would be the second time in three months Chaplin witnessed someone die in front of his Boundary Avenue home from a car accident.

“Oh my God, it was just so bad,” said Chaplin, a 52-year-old neighbor and father who said Wednesday he just couldn’t shake what he saw. “We kept listening if she was breathing and we had nothing from her.”

Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, authorities responded to reports of a single-car accident at North Quincy Street and Boundary Avenue – the same intersection that claimed three lives in an August crash.

Chaplin, seeing two others at the scene Tuesday night, kept telling them, “help is on the way,” he said.

Help came. But for the young woman who was laying there breathless, it was too late.

Kaitlyn Rastellini, 19, of Saugus, was taken to a local hospital and flown to a Boston trauma center where she was pronounced dead, according to a news release sent out by the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office late Wednesday afternoon.

In August, a car and van collided at the same intersection, killing Kathryn Cushman, 76, of Holbrook and Betty Marini, 75, of Abington. Cushman's husband, Robert, 79, died later of his injuries.

Neighbors, who have petitioned for changes at the intersection, say they’ve had enough.

“We’ve had meetings with the city, written letters...” said Lucy Hurt, 42, of Boundary Avenue. “The question is, how many people have to die?”

Driving down Chestnut Street in Abington toward North Quincy in Brockton, the speed limit drops from 45 to 30 mph, and a yellow sign posted about a quarter mile from the stop sign reads “Dangerous Intersection Ahead.”

Similar signs are posted on either side of the intersection along North Quincy Street alerting residents to the cross street.

But neighbors are pushing for more, saying the two stop signs are not enough.